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Norris notches two hits in Saturday's start

Norris notches two hits in Saturday's start

6/14/13: Derek Norris makes a diving catch in foul territory on Brendan Ryan's bunt attempt for the first out in the top of the ninth

By Jeff Kirshman
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MLB.com |

OAKLAND -- Stephen Vogt was rewarded for notching his first career hit with his first game off since his promotion on Tuesday.

Derek Norris started Saturday for the A's at catcher with hopes of snapping a slump that saw him go 4-for-39 over his last 13 games.

Norris showed signs of doing just that, going 2-for-3 against Adam Wainwright in a 7-1 loss.

Norris is batting .164 since May 1 after hitting .283 in April and has struggled to earn consistent playing time in manager Bob Melvin's starting lineup.

"It's been a while, and we've had quite a few righties, and you want to give him some at-bats to stay current, because we do have three lefties coming up on the schedule before the [All-Star] break," Melvin said. "But it's not always about the offensive end. It's about the defensive end, too. He's had some nice games with [Saturday starter Jarrod] Parker. We always feel comfortable when he's back there."

Experiencing success on the defensive end with offensive struggles is a concept shortstop Adam Rosales is well-versed in. Rosales' playing time, like Norris', has dipped due to his lack of offensive production.

The Catch-22 of the situation is that it's difficult to snap out of a funk when given so few opportunities to do so.

"The way to get over the hump is to get back out there and get on the horse and keep on making those small adjustment," Rosales said. "You just need to be patient and do everything you can to work in the cage and get the workouts in and make sure my mindset's right every day."

Melvin may have preferred for John Jaso to get the nod at catcher, but the A's have not deemed him ready to play a full game as he continues to heal from a left palm abrasion. Jaso has played just once off the bench since he was scratched from the starting lineup on June 21.

"He's still available," Melvin said. "We just don't feel like he's available for four or five AB's in a whole game. But it is getting better. Yesterday was a big improvement day for him. He's available off the bench, just not to start yet."

Jeff Kirshman is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.